Adcash is COPPA compliant, no ifs, ands or buts

From our stance against adblockers, you probably noticed that we are committed to free access to content. We have demonstrated that commitment by doggedly fighting ad fraud and maintaining high standards.

But there’s more to do; we also need to promote a safe digital environment for children. We’re proud to say that we’re doing our part: Adcash is 100% compliant with COPPA.

Short for the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, its aim is to prevent marketer overreach. It does this by limiting the information that digital properties can collect from children under a specific age without parental consent.

COPPA: Who, where and what is subject?

Any website, app or service provider knowingly collecting personal information from children under the age of 13 is subject to COPPA so long as they are headquartered or targeting traffic in the U.S.

Such wording provides its enforcement body global jurisdiction. For example, the Federal Trade Commission (see enforcement body) fined Singapore’s InMobi $950K for secretly gathering data from children-targeted apps.

The act’s scope not only includes requested information, such as the child’s name, but the data that persistent identifiers, such as cookies and other forms of passive tracking collect.

COPPA: Compliance comes down to one thing

COPPA is a pretty technical piece of legislation but it boils down to one thing: the parent’s right to determine what is in the best interest of his or her child.

In this case? It is the parents’ right to decide when and how much information digital properties can collect from their children.

It logically follows that properties targeted toward or otherwise collecting data from children must disclose this. They must also verify that it is the parent, not the child, who is providing consent.

COPPA: it’s not just about the law but what’s right

Whether you are acting as a business or citizen, it is in your best interest to comply with sensible laws. Otherwise, you open yourself to business- or life-altering liability.

However, just because you do what is legal doesn’t mean what you do is ethical. After all, following the law is just good sense…business or otherwise. No, your decision must be based as much on ethics as it is legality.

Collectively, it is our responsibility to ensure that children can safely play in and explore their environments. We need every member to make that happen: you can count us among those who are.